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Tributes to be paid to the life and work of Liverpool based performer Elroy Josephs (1939-1997).

As part of our Black History Month 2012 programme, the International Slavery Museum presents a tribute to actor and dancer, Elroy Josephs in an evening of movement and memories that celebrates the work and artistic achievements of the Liverpool-based artist.

Elroy, who arrived in the UK from Jamaica in 1956 developed a ground breaking fusion of African-Caribbean and European dance styles that changed the way dancers and choreographers thought about movement. Central to this was his understanding of plantation slavery in the Caribbean and its colonial legacy. How he felt this history lived within him and informed his work and gave it the power and emotion he felt was essential for dance to have. Despite Elroy’s influence on British dance heritage, (he was the first Black dance tutor at a British University), his story is largely absent from the history of British Dance.

Through a collaboration between International Slavery Museum, performance student Cherise Weaver and staff and students at Enterprise South Liverpool Academy, the present generation have been introduced to Joseph’s technique who have then used this as the basis for an original piece.

Join us at the International Slavery Museum on 12 October at 6pm where it will be performed. The evening will use documentary footage, music, movement and former student’s recollections, as well as an overview of Elroy’s life, work and impact on the creative arts scene in Liverpool.

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